Four Police Vehicles Vandalised, Eleven Motorcycles Set Ablaze in Bhanga

In Bhanga, Faridpur, protestors carried out attacks and widespread vandalism at the local police station and Upazila Parishad premises on Monday (15 September) as part of demonstrations against the parliamentary constituency reorganisation. The rampage occurred between 12:45 pm and 1:15 pm, lasting roughly half an hour.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the protestors first entered the hall of the Upazila Parishad, destroying over a hundred chairs, the speaker’s dais, ten ceiling fans, and more than thirty lights. Following this, the three-storey building was vandalised on each floor, affecting seven rooms per floor, totalling 21 rooms. During the attack, CCTV cameras were smashed and the glass in various offices of the Upazila Executive Officer was broken.

Additionally, in the Parishad courtyard and the Officers’ Club garage, protestors set fire to seven motorcycles. Further vandalism also occurred within the Officers’ Club itself.

Meanwhile, at the Bhanga police station, attackers destroyed three police vehicles and a large reserve van. At least four motorcycles were set alight in the station premises. Banners and windows of the police station were also damaged.

After the incident, Bhanga has largely returned to calm, although the Dhaka–Barishal and Dhaka–Khulna highways remain blocked. Law enforcement personnel attempted to regain control but were unable to fully do so. Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rokibuzzaman stated that efforts are ongoing to restore normal traffic flow.

Attempts to obtain comments from Faridpur Superintendent of Police, Md. Abdul Jalil, stationed at Bhanga police station, were unsuccessful. Bhanga Upazila Executive Officer Mizanur Rahman also declined to comment.

An eyewitness, Nazrul Islam Mridha, a cloth merchant from Kapuria Sadardi, Bhanga, described the attacks:

“During the vandalism at the police station and Upazila Parishad, people entered with machetes and sticks, wreaking havoc and setting motorcycles on fire with petrol. Law enforcement personnel did not intervene to stop the attacks.”

The unrest stems from local residents’ opposition to the merger of Algi and Hamirdi unions from Faridpur-4 constituency into Faridpur-2. For the past two weeks, residents have been protesting to maintain the previous boundaries of these constituencies.

As part of the movement, from Sunday, protestors blocked highways and railway lines for three consecutive days. Monday marked the second day of this blockade, beginning at 11:00 am, targeting both the Dhaka–Barishal and Dhaka–Khulna highways.

Summary of Damages in Bhanga Protests

The protest reflects a broader community opposition to constituency changes, which has escalated into property destruction and civil disruption, raising concerns over law and order in the region.